Restoration was a seven-year project for father, son Treier

Published: August 22, 2010 4:00 AM

The 1968 Pontiac GTO of Max Treier was a father-son project."My son Bret purchased it in 1982," Treier explained. "He purchased it from a young man coming home from the service from North Carolina. So it was really a Carolina car moved back to Ohio when Bret bought it."Restoration of the car began in 2000. Work was completed in 2007. The Treiers retained the original verdora green color on the body work, and sought to keep the car as true to its original condition as possible. Max said that is an ongoing process. Hitting the adjudicated car show circuit has helped."Experienced people told me when I got it restored, 'You're never done' because I said 'I'm done.' No, there are still little things I can finish. (Judges) are very particular about bolts that have the right plating and the right markings on the head, which means that they're original equipment. That's kind of a difficult thing to hit at the best level."The efforts have paid off. "We have won some awards with it," Max said. "We won a first place last year at the northeastern Ohio POCI (Pontiac Oakland Club International) show. That was up in Solon. It also got best paint."Treier's GTO was named one of the judges' top 25 choices in the cruise in.The automotive-minded Treiers are not limited to the males of the family. Melissa Treier showed her Volkswagen Karmann Ghia in the cruise in.